Method and apparatus for rolling bearing assemblies having an electrical discharge damage protection structure

Abstract

The bearing assembly includes an inner ring (2) having an inner ring raceway, an outer ring (1) having an outer ring raceway, rolling elements (5) that roll or rotate between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway, at least one conductive portion (7) having first and second ends, and a seal (6) connected to the at least one conductive portion, the seal being configured to be in direct contact with only one of the inner ring or the outer ring, with the first end electrically contacting one of the inner ring and the outer ring and the second end electrically contacting the other of the inner ring and the outer ring.

Claims

1. In a bearing assembly, An inner ring having an inner ring orbit, An outer ring having an outer ring orbit, A rolling element that rolls or rotates between the inner ring track and the outer ring track, A plurality of discrete conductive parts having a first end and a second end, The system comprises seals connected to the plurality of discrete conductive parts, The seal directly contacts only one of the inner ring or the outer ring. The second end is configured to make electrical contact with the other of the inner ring and the outer ring. The bearing assembly comprises a conductive brush filament fixed to the first end, the first end making electrical contact with one of the inner ring and the outer ring via the conductive brush filament.

2. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the conductive brush filament is detachably fixed to the first end.

3. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cap connected to the first end is part of the conductive brush filament.

4. The bearing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cap is configured to be connected to the first end by fitting it onto the first end or by inserting it into the first end.

5. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete conductive parts comprises a first part and a second part, and the first and second parts are directly connected.

6. The bearing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the conductive brush filament is held by the first and second portions and protrudes beyond the first end of the plurality of discrete conductive portions.

7. The bearing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the conductive brush filament is held between the first portion and the second portion.

8. The bearing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of discrete conductive parts are substantially U-shaped, and the first part and the second part are the legs of the plurality of discrete conductive parts.

9. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the conductive brush filament is fixed to the plurality of discrete conductive parts by adhesive.

10. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a seal lip which is a flexible seal lip.

11. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal is located between the rolling element and the plurality of discrete conductive parts.

12. The bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete conductive parts are located only on one side of one of the rolling elements.

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